Grievance Procedures
Loyola provides procedures for resolving disputes related to services for students with disabilities, including complaints that a student has been discriminated against because of his or her disability. If a student believes another Loyola student has engaged in discriminatory conduct toward the student because of his or her disability, the student may file an incident report with the Office of the Dean of Students.
To review information about how to file an incident report and about the procedures used to resolve student complaints, visit the Student Judicial Procedures page of the Student Handbook. A printed copy of the judicial procedures may be obtained from:
Office of the Dean of Students
Centennial Forum, Room 100
1125 W. Loyola Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
If a student has a dispute with a Loyola administrator, faculty member, staff member or other employee relating to disability services, including any complaint that the student has been discriminated against because of his or her disability, the student may follow these procedures:
- Students are encouraged, but not required, to make a sincere attempt to resolve the problem through discussions with the other party.
- If the student is unable to resolve the problem with the other party or has opted not to make such an attempt, then the student should meet with their designated Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) staff member, either the Coordinator or Disability Specialist, to discuss the problem and possible ways to resolve the problem. The student should schedule a meeting with the Coordinator or Disability Specialist within 14 days of the event leading to the dispute.
- If the SSWD staff member and the student are unable to resolve the problem, the student may file a written complaint with the Associate Provost for Academic Services. The written complaint must specify the nature of the dispute, any prior attempts to resolve the matter and how the student wishes for the matter to be resolved. The written complaint should be filed within 14 days of the meeting with the Coordinator or Disability Specialist.
The Associate Provost will conduct an investigation. As part of that investigation, the Associate Provost will ask the student and the other party to identify any witnesses and to submit any other evidence they wish the Associate Provost to consider. The Associate Provost will complete the investigation within 30 days of receiving the written complaint from the student, if practicable. The Associate Provost will notify the parties of the disposition of the matter to the extent permissible by law.
- If the student is dissatisfied with the disposition, the student may file a written appeal with the Associate Provost for Academic Services. The appeal must be filed within 14 days of being notified of the Associate Provost's disposition and contain all the information and documentation that the student wishes to be considered as part of the appeal. The Associate Provost will notify the parties of his or her decision, to the extent permitted by law, within 30 days of receiving the appeal, if practicable.
- If the student's dispute is with the Coordinator or Disability Specialist of Services for Students with Disabilities, the student should notify the Associate Provost, who will appoint an impartial person to meet with the student or conduct the investigate as applicable. If the dispute is with the Associate Provost, the student should notify the provost, who will appoint an impartial person to meet with the student, conduct the investigation or handle the appeal as applicable.
In any situation where it is found that discrimination occurred because of the student’s disability, Loyola will take steps to prevent the recurrence of such discrimination and will correct any discriminatory effects on the student and others, if appropriate. Retaliation against any person for complaining about what he or she believes to be discriminatory conduct or for cooperating in any investigation of such a complaint is prohibited.